How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Columbia Bank
Covers 7 deposit, 2 retirement, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
Death Claims
Phone1-866-486-7782
Toll-Free1-866-486-7782
Fax1-866-250-1917
Mailing Address
Columbia Bank, Attn: Estate Services, P.O. Box 1050, Tacoma, WA 98401
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning for your Columbia Bank accounts starts with understanding how each one transfers at death. Beneficiary designations and trust retitling both bypass probate, but the right approach depends on the account type, your tax situation, and how much control you want over distributions.
With 11 product types, Columbia Bank offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
Foundation CheckingEmbark CheckingPinnacle CheckingGrow SavingsThrive Money MarketProsper Money MarketCertificate of Deposit (CD)
1
Visit a Columbia Bank branch with government-issued photo ID
2
Request a Beneficiary Designation Form (Payable on Death)
3
Complete the form with beneficiary details:
- Full legal name, date of birth, SSN, and relationship for each beneficiary
- Specify primary and contingent beneficiaries with percentage allocations totaling 100%
4
Submit the completed form to a banker for processing
Special Requirements
- Beneficiary changes cannot be made online
- Completed form must be delivered to the bank (in-branch or by mail)
- Named beneficiaries override instructions in a will
- If designating a trust as beneficiary, a completed Trust Certification Form is also required
Death Claims
Phone1-866-486-7782
Toll-Free1-866-486-7782
Fax1-866-250-1917
Mailing Address
Columbia Bank, Attn: Estate Services, P.O. Box 1050, Tacoma, WA 98401
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Columbia Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
